Happy birthday

It is my true loves birthday! He worked a 12 hour night shift, came home at 6:30am, got up this afternoon and went to work at 2pm so he can get off at 2am, sleep and report for his national guard weekend at 8am. I greatly appreciate his dedication to our family and worry about his lack of sleep. Your are the best!

Chasing Geese

Today, 8 years ago I had the opportunity to become the wife of Ryan Loder. It has been an honor and a privilege to accompany him on our grand adventure. As I look back on our adventure I wouldn't of wanted it any other way! It has made me a better person and made our relationship stronger. I have enjoyed Ryan's family and miss his mother especially when the kids do. I enjoy my friendship with Shanna (Ryan's ex-wife), Jeff and their family. I love that Ryan & Shanna's girl get to love everyone. I love that my Clarissa and Wesley love Shanna and Jeff to and that my older kids think Shanna is fabulous, too! I am thankful that Ryan wanted to marry me and the five kids, that he stuck around through cancer & chemotherapy and teenagers. That pretty much sums up our first year! I love you Ryan and can't wait to see what next year brings.

On my way to work

I am getting ready to leave for work and Wesley is sad. So I get down on his level to explain:

Me: Wesley I have to go to work. Carter will take care of you.

Wesley: (Hugging me) No Mommy.

Me: You can sit on the couch, drink your chocolate milk and Carter will put on a movie.

Wesley: Shakes his head no.

Me: He will make you scrambled eggs with cheese. You like those.

Wesley: (Thinks a moment) Go Mommy!

Janeth and Clarissa

Janeth is visiting for a couple of days. Clarissa doesn't know her very well, we see her twice a year.

Clarissa introducing herself: My name is Clarissa Emmalyn Loder. My family calls me Roo!

After that introduction Janeth was her new best friend and Clarissa told her everything she knows for two days as fast as she could talk!

Since I have been working the world is even busier. Ryan took Wesley to get a few shots. He did great! The nurse gave him a sticker which he promptly wrinkled up into a ball and threw on the floor! His Dad is a wise man and brought a dum dum which made the torture all better. The water heater is fixed!!! It is nice not to have to go in the basement half asleep and light the water heater for your morning shower. Although on the bright side several of the children learned to light it themselves! They got tired of waiting for adults to have time to light it every time they wanted a warm shower! Oh and the three loads of dishes a day are easier too! Clarissa wanted to get on the computer so she says to me, "Mom what is the password?" I answered," You don't know your letters." She began to sing the alphabet song.

Youth Conference

I enjoyed youth conference immensely. Our theme was "Be strong of a Good Courage in the past, present and beyond". We opened youth conference by taking our youth to do baptism for the dead at the Logan temple and told some stories about the temple before and after and ended our day with fireside testimony meeting. The next day we played games in camp including some minute to win it games, hiked, did skits and watch a movie. The next day we finished up youth conference with some boating on the lake! (Thank you Tanya's parents) I am excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for my family and the youth in my ward! Thank you for my husband and mom for watching the kids and keeping things at home running smoothly during girls camp and youth conference!